Introducing......Dear Dolly Friends
I have ALWAYS loved dolls! My husband and three grown sons think I'm going through my second childhood, but I tell them I'm just finishing up the first one properly!! I enjoy composition and bisque baby dolls, Ginny dolls, children's dishes, and most anything from the 40's and 50's.
Dolls ~ Accessories ~ Restoration
Ila Marvel, Doll Doctor
In October, 2000 I received instruction in the repair of composition and bisque at a G & M Doll Restoration Seminar in Virginia Beach, VA. I received my advance restoration certification in May of 2002. My philosophy in repairing dolls is "less is more"...in other words...repair only what REALLY needs repair to retain the original elements of that particular doll.
After completing studies with G & M Doll restoration, DEAR DOLLY FRIENDS was born. Here is a little guy that looked pretty sad when he arrived! But after some patching and sanding (and sanding...and SANDING!) he was ready to paint and try on his new sailor outfit! He looks sooo much happier! His owner thinks so too!
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~~More Dolly Patients~~
This dolly had been "force fed" a few too many times by an enthusiastic little mommy! She also needed to a trip to the dolly beauty parlor to have her hair done! After a few days with Dear Dolly Friends, she is looking beautiful again!
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Brother, by Horsman, was looking pretty sad. Attic living led to many problems with his composition and paint. Some mending on his cloth body....a LOT of sanding and repainting brought him back again!
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This Eegee doll from the late 1950's/early 1960's had been well loved! Some of her lashes were missing and her hair was mostly GONE! I replaced the missing lashes. A curly wig was cut to a shorter length, curled and styled appropriately. She was dressed in a vintage dress and is "all dolled up" now!!
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Every doll has potential! There's a saying "If you have the HEAD, you have the doll!" Some may ask "Is it worth the money?" to have work done on a doll. That is in the heart of the owner. Can we put a price on memories? Often when I return a doll to the owner and see the look on her face when she sees her doll, I feel that I haven't restored a doll---I've restored a CHILDHOOD!
DOLLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!